SS United States getting artifact donations from Mariners' Museum, others

SS United States getting artifact donations from Mariners' Museum, others

The Mariners' Museum and other donors are turning over more than 600 artifacts from the SS United States to the group spearheading the famed ocean liner's return to prominence.

The collection ranges from furniture and glassware to photographs and historic documents. It was made possible by The Mariners' Museum, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the Sarah Forbes estate and the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hunnicutt III.

The announcement came in a news release from the SS United States Conservancy. The non-profit restoration group recently struck an agreement with a high-end cruise line to return the Newport News-built ocean liner to passenger sea service.

Besides its plan to restore the ship, the Conservancy wants to develop a land-based museum and exhibitions to tell the ship's story in more detail.

Built at Newport News Shipbuilding and launched in 1952, SS United States was a marvel of its age. It was both massive and fast, 100 feet longer than the Titanic and with a lightweight aluminum superstructure that allowed it to race across the Atlantic at top speeds in excess of 40 miles per hour.

It shattered trans-Atlantic speed records and ferried the likes of Charlton Heston, Salvador Dali and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. It eventually gave way to the age of passenger jets and ended up moored in Philadelphia, showing signs of age and rust.

Two months ago, the Conservancy struck a deal with Crystal Cruises to restore the ship to active service. First, it must undergo an assessment to determine what it will take to sail again.

"After reviewing the entirety of our SS United States collection, we felt that these donated artifacts would better serve the SS United States Conservancy in telling the story of this historic ship," said Elliot Gruber, president and CEO of The Mariners' Museum.

Many artifacts include ship furniture and other items that Forbes incorporated into her Windmill Point Restaurant on the Outer Banks. The Forbes collection was donated to The Mariners' Museum in 2008.

The Hunnicutts donated glassware used on the ship.

Also included are a collection of black-and-white photographs taken by Albert W. Durant from the ship's trial runs in 1952. Durant, of Williamsburg, was Virginia's first black city-licensed photographer. His work depicts life of blacks who served as kitchen staff and stewards of the SS United States.

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation's John D. Rockefeller Library also owns a set of these images. The library was the original source of the donation.

As part of its ongoing effort, the Conservancy is collecting oral histories from former officers, crew members and passengers. Those seeking more information can contact the conservancy at info@ssusc.org.